Centralia Library 1/3rd To Capital Campaign Goal

By Tim Ferguson, WJBD News

The Centralia Regional Library’s Capital Campaign 2013 of raising $1.1 million to renovate the current library building as well as construct a 6,800 square foot addition is in full swing according to Kim McMillan of Monken GMC, and a member of the campaign’s steering committee.

McMillan spoke at Wednesday’s Centralia Chamber of Commerce Luncheon and told chamber members how shocked she was at the condition of the current building. "The basement, the foundation, is crumbling. It is just unbelieveable how bad it is. The ceiling, the roof, is leaking everywhere. We were actually sitting upstairs at a meeting and it was raining and tiles did, they really did just started falling out of the ceiling,” said McMillan. “But the part that touched my heart the most, and I get emotional everytime I talk about this, but, they bring children there, all the schools bring children there. And, when one of the meetings when we were there the Centralia Junior High had some of their special needs kids there and they were carrying kids up to the second floor.”

$766,000 of the $1.1 million that the campaign is raising will go toward meeting the 25% required in local matching funds. An additonal $333,759 will be used as a contingency fund for construction costs and capital reserves. Currently, the campaign has raised $430,000 to this point or a little over one-third of the goal. A state grant will pay for the other 75% of the project.

McMillan noted that there are many ways that people wishing to donate may do so, including pledging a specific amount that can be paid over a three or five year period and is tax deductible. A person wishing to pledge $1,000 toward the project could spread that over a five year period for $16.67 a month.

Her own family, including her mother, Jan Monken, brother Wes, and sister, Shawn Hartman, has elected to make a donation at the “Naming Right” level of $50,000 in honor of her late father, Harold Monken, and her mother. “Shawn, my sister, Wes and I, we’ve done an addition or a naming right. There’s naming rights for $50,000. And, so I’m proud to be able to do that. We’re naming the room in honor of Jan and Harold Monken. It gives me great pride,” said McMillan as the room broke into applause.

Those wanting more information or wishing to donate should stop by the library or call 532-5374.